Microsoft at E3: Skate 4? Nope, Try Session

One expected game didn't make an appearance at Microsoft's E3 presser: Skate 4. Instead, another skateboarding game, Session, received the trailer treatment.

Microsoft's Phil Spencer-led E3 press conference showcased a multitude of titles designed to appeal to a variety of gamers, from the expected Forza Horizon 4 to an incredulous Battletoads announcement. But one expected game didn't make an appearance: Skate 4. Instead, another skateboarding game received the trailer treatment: Session.

Session, developed by crea-ture Studios, is an upcoming grind fest inspired by the "golden era of skateboarding." Though specific titles were mentioned in the Session press release, it's not too far fetched that the creative team eyed classic skateboarding games, such as the beloved Skate and Tony Hawk series.

Session aims to capture the essence of the street sport by utilizing a dual-stick control scheme that replicates that focuses on landing difficult tricks. In fact, each stick represents a rider's in-game foot to replicate true-to-life skateboarding action.

The game isn't only about manually busting out sick tricks. Filmer Mode lets you capture your best tricks, edit them, and share it with others. Captured video is rendered in classic, 1990s-style VHS footage for a dose of retro-inspired authenticity.

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Session began life as a 2017 Kickstarter project. It's product page details some of the features we may see in the final game, including day and night cycles, character and board customization, online multiplayer, and a progression system that rewards you for mastering moves. For example, if you continually practice kickflips, you character will eventually do it faster and higher. Session sounds like it is going the simulation route more so than an arcade style of play.

The Kickstarter project page also mentioned that the in-game city hubs are inspired by real-world cities, with accurate and to-scale reproductions of their most legendary and best skate spots. That appears to be represented in the E3 trailer, which features a skater performing moves in New York City.

A pre-release Session build will be playable on Xbox One via Game Preview, and on PC via early access, by the end of the year. The full version will be released sometime in 2019.

About the Author

For more than a decade, Jeffrey L. Wilson has penned gadget- and video game-related nerd-copy for a variety of publications, including 1UP, 2D-X, The Cask, Laptop, LifeStyler, Parenting, Sync, Wise Bread, and WWE. He now brings his knowledge and skillset to PCMag as Senior Analyst.

When he isn't staring at a monitor (or two) and churning out Web hosting, music, utilities, and video game copy, Jeffrey mentors, practices Jeet Kune Do, blogs, podcasts, and speaks at the occasional con. He also collects vinyl and greatly enjoys a craft brew.